Long Beach vs Columbus

Category / Metric	Long Beach	Columbus
Financial Overview
Median Income	$81,606	$51,835
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	3.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$895,000	$198,200
Price per SqFt	$615	$null
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$881
Housing Cost Index	173.0	58.4
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	107.9	96.0
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.98	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	587.0	456.0
Bachelor's Degree+	36.8%	28.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	52	34

Here is the ultimate head-to-head showdown between Long Beach and Columbus.

The Vibe Check: Coastal Cool vs. Heartland Hustle

Let’s cut to the chase. These two cities are playing in completely different leagues, and your choice comes down to one question: do you want the ocean breeze or the buckeye hustle?

Long Beach, CA is the definition of laid-back coastal culture. It’s a sprawling, diverse port city that feels like Los Angeles’s cooler, more grounded little sibling. Think tattoo parlors, craft breweries, and a massive Pride parade. It’s a city for people who want big-city amenities (access to LA’s job market) but with a distinct, beach-town identity. The vibe is eclectic, artsy, and unapologetically West Coast.

Columbus, OH is the fast-paced, ambitious heart of the Midwest. It’s a city on the rise—a tech and education hub fueled by Ohio State University and a booming downtown. The vibe here is all about growth, community, and getting things done. It’s a city for people who want a major metropolitan feel with a lower price tag, where you can actually afford to buy a house before you turn 30.

Who is it for?

Long Beach is for the ocean lover, the creative, the commuter to LA, and the person who values weather and lifestyle over a cheap rent check.
Columbus is for the young professional, the growing family, the budget-conscious buyer, and the person who wants four distinct seasons without breaking the bank.

The Dollar Power: Sticker Shock vs. Purchasing Power

This is the category where the gap is widest. If you’re coming from a high-cost area, Columbus will feel like a financial paradise. If you’re coming from the Midwest, Long Beach might give you serious sticker shock.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Here’s how the monthly essentials stack up. The data speaks for itself.

Category	Long Beach, CA	Columbus, OH	Winner
Median Home Price	$895,000	$198,200	Columbus (By a landslide)
Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$881	Columbus
Housing Index	173.0 (73% above US avg)	58.4 (41.6% below US avg)	Columbus
Median Income	$81,606	$51,835	Long Beach
Violent Crime (per 100k)	587.0	456.0	Columbus (Slightly safer)

Salary Wars: The $100k Test
Let’s do the math. If you earn $100,000 in Columbus, you’re making nearly double the median income ($51,835). In Long Beach, that same $100k is only about 22% above the median ($81,606).

Purchasing Power Verdict: In Columbus, $100k feels like $150k. You can afford a nice house, a new car, and still have money left for travel. In Long Beach, $100k feels like $70k. You’ll be comfortably middle-class, but a single-family home is a stretch, and you’ll likely be renting a long time.

Tax Talk: The Hidden Dealbreaker

Long Beach (CA): Welcome to the Golden State’s tax burden. You’ll pay 13.3% state income tax (on high earners), high sales tax (~10%), and property taxes are capped at 1% of purchase price (but that’s on an $895k home, so you’re still paying a lot).
Columbus (OH): Ohio has a progressive income tax, but it tops out at 3.99%. Sales tax is lower (~7.5%), and property taxes are higher (around 1.5-2%), but on a $200k home, that’s a fraction of the cost.

Bottom Line: Columbus wins the affordability war by a mile. You get more house, more space, and more financial freedom for your money.

The Housing Market: Buying vs. Renting

Long Beach is a tough market for buyers. With a median home price near $900k, you need significant capital. It’s a Seller’s Market—homes sell fast, often above asking price, and bidding wars are common. Renting is the default for most, and even that is expensive. The barrier to entry is high.

Columbus is the opposite. It’s a Buyer’s Market in many neighborhoods. The median home price is under $200k, meaning a 20% down payment is only $40k. This opens homeownership to a much wider demographic. Inventory is better, competition is lower, and you get more for your money—like a decent yard. Renting is also incredibly affordable, making it easy to save for a down payment.

Verdict: If you want to own a home, Columbus is the clear winner. If you’re okay with renting indefinitely and value location over square footage, Long Beach is manageable.

The Dealbreakers: Life, Commute, and Weather

Traffic & Commute

Long Beach: You’re in the LA metro. The 710, the 405, the 6—traffic is legendary. The average commute is 30+ minutes, and that can easily double. Public transit (Metro Blue Line) is decent for getting to Downtown LA, but driving is a stress test daily.
Columbus: Traffic is a breeze compared to coastal cities. The average commute is under 25 minutes. The city is built for cars, and while there’s congestion during rush hour, it’s not soul-crushing. Public transit (COTA buses) exists but is less robust.

Weather: Sun vs. Seasons

Long Beach: Mediterranean perfection. Highs in the 70s year-round. Rarely too hot, rarely too cold. The average temp is 57°F, but that’s misleading—it’s comfortable almost every day. The biggest downside? Marine layer (morning clouds) and the infamous "June Gloom." No real seasons, which can feel monotonous.
Columbus: Four distinct seasons. Hot, humid summers (90°F+), beautiful autumns, snowy winters (20-30°F with snowfall), and blooming springs. You need a winter coat and an air conditioner. The seasonal change is a pro for some, a con for others.

Crime & Safety

Let’s be honest: both cities have areas to avoid.

Long Beach has a violent crime rate of 587 per 100k. It’s higher than the national average and significantly higher than Columbus. Safety varies wildly by neighborhood—some areas are very safe, others are not.
Columbus has a rate of 456 per 100k. It’s also above the national average but lower than Long Beach. As a mid-sized Midwestern city, it has its issues, but it’s generally considered safer than most large coastal metros.

Verdict on Dealbreakers: Choose Long Beach for weather and coastal access (if you can handle the commute). Choose Columbus for easier commutes and four seasons.

The Final Verdict: Which City Wins?

This isn’t about which city is "better," but which city is better for you.

Winner for Families: Columbus

Why: Affordable housing is the #1 factor. You can buy a 3-4 bedroom home with a yard for under $300k. The schools are decent (especially in suburbs like Dublin or Bexley), the community feel is strong, and you get more space for your money. The lower crime rate is a bonus.

Winner for Singles & Young Professionals: Columbus

Why: Unless you work in entertainment or tech on the West Coast, Columbus offers a thriving job market (finance, insurance, tech, healthcare) with salaries that go much further. You can live in a cool downtown apartment, go out, save money, and travel—all on a mid-level salary. The under-30 energy is palpable.

Winner for Retirees: Columbus (with a caveat)

Why: If your priority is stretching your retirement savings, Columbus is unbeatable. Your nest egg will go 2-3x further. However, if you have a larger nest egg and prioritize weather and access to healthcare (Long Beach has world-class hospitals like Miller Children's & Women's), Long Beach could be worth the cost. For most retirees on a fixed income, Columbus is the practical choice.

At a Glance: Pros & Cons

Long Beach, CA

✅ PROS

Unbeatable weather year-round.
Proximity to Los Angeles' job market and entertainment.
Diverse culture, food scene, and beach lifestyle.
Higher median income.

❌ CONS

Extreme cost of living (housing, taxes, daily expenses).
Brutal traffic and long commutes.
High crime rate in certain areas.
Nearly impossible to buy a home on a median income.

Columbus, OH